A heat wave is expected to continue Tuesday across the nation with the level of discomfort forecast very high.

…

“Avoid outdoor activity as much as possible. It’s better to stay indoors when heat wave warnings are issued,” said a KMA representative. “Drink plenty of water, frequently. Sunlight should be blocked even indoors, with good ventilation.”

The discomfort index is expected to exceed 80 in most of the nation, the level that all people feel negatively affected by the high temperatures.

~ per The Korea Times

I’ve never heard of a “Discomfort Index”, but I like the sound of it. I’m going to use it in all situations. At the bar, “Talking to you is causing my discomfort index to rise”. “I can’t eat that chewy bar or else my discomfort will increase.”

2 3 4 5

Photo 1 and 2 are a stamp that a student had bought me. It has my Korean name on it. 3 is the Zen Potato project. The container which I had for it had no drainage at the bottom. One day a teacher over watered the container and I noticed signs of the potato molding. So, I chucked it into the rice fields. 4 is my latest mate delivery. Yeah! It’s a lot of mate, but it will get drank. My attitude has become very positive these few days, and I think it’s because of 5. These are the clovers that I started growing in the home. They only took about 2 days to sprout.

Congrats to Ceej and the Ultramarathon! Although,… sometimes I wonder how spectacular these events really are. Beforehand, people know the agony which their body will go through. So, they have aspirin, changes of socks, and need constant energy intake. *hmmmm* I don’t know. It seems like some triumphant bodily mutilation. I don’t know why I would want to put my body through that kind of physical endurement for the self gratification of just because … Don’t get me wrong. It’s a cool mark to have on your belt, but I wouldn’t want to damage myself in the process. That’s just me. I do butt clinches for my daily exercise at the J.O.B.

I’ve been watching a lot less of my tech shows, lately. I’m not listening to any podcasts. Besides SYTYCD, Billy Bell and Alex Wong, WOOWOO! I’m not watching any Summer programs. I want to see some Summer flicks, but I dont like downloading the crappy ‘in theater camcorder recordings’.

I’m waiting to watch Toy Story 3 and a couple others.

The students finished their final exams, but classes continue until July 16. ??? As I write this, the “I dream a dream” song is playing in the classrooms… I dont know why?

On the exam days, the all the exams finished by 1PM and the students went home. The teachers aren’t allowed to leave until 5PM. But they do anyways. I stayed late one day, and I was rewarded with 2 slices of pizza… but it’s not like I was working hard … or for the school for that matter.

Tree trimmers have been at the school for the last 2 weeks. Man, they work slow, but they’re doing a good job. All the trees have that Asian bonsai appearance and shape. Even the regular trees got the treatment. They lobbed off the major branches and left the smaller one. They’ll look cool in a couple years.

These days, I’m doing graduate assignments at school, or studying Korean, or dicking around online. I dont really do much.

I ordered 2 Korean animation DVD’s and a language book. Sometimes it’s really hard to find these things in a store. Even the BIG stores don’t carry them. This week, I think I spent $100 on books and the DVDs.

I want to get some new glasses and frames. I’ve had this pair since 2002 or 2003. It’s time for a change. I want some Oakley frames. ‘The Owl’ recommended an eye doctor he sees, so that might be my weekend plans.

I’ve still been watching World Cup soccer. I guess I’ll cheer for The Netherlands, now that Germany is out. The Ass Clown professor from the University, who I hate, keeps saying “Mers, You’re cheering for Germany, because you’re German!” (I made the mistake of telling him that the Huber-side goes back to German immigrants.) So, now, I’m German. He really like to stereotype people by their country, so that he can make sweeping assumptions about people. “Mers, you make beer cuz you’re German!” “Mers, I’ll bet your family eats a lot of sausage cuz they’re German!” No, you idgzit!

Black’s wife was Korean and an English teacher at an elementary school, but I’d never met her. She and Black had moved into a new home before I came to this city. I knew that Black’s wife had been hospitalized before for some condition. Black never spoke personally with me about it. No one had, so I never brought it up. Black and I aren’t that close. To be honest, I dont think Black is close with anyone. I spoke intimately with him once, and I got the impression that his personality was similar to “Uncle Fidelity”. He was independent.

I called the professor who sent me the text. I asked if it was her condition, and he said no. It was odd.

I sat in my room for awhile pondering. I was going to meet the professors and watch World Cup at a bar later. Then, I remembered that I know the American who works at the elementary school with Black’s wife, so I thought that I should tell him. He had got the news just before I called.

This morning “The Owl” called to check if I had heard what happened. He said that it was a suicide.

I wonder why she would do that. The Korean school year hasn’t finished yet. It was a Monday evening. And I think the elementary students have final exams this week. I wonder if she reached out to anyone before she commited to it. Did she reach out to Black? Her family? Did they not reach back? Where was Black?

It’s odd.

Him: “I guess you’re the only teacher here who I’ve never met.” There were 5 others.
Mers: “I’m Mers.”
Him: “Do you teach in Anseong?”
Mers: “Yeah, I teach at Doowon High School.”
Him: “Doowon High School? Is that in Anseong?”
Mers: “Yes. I’ve been here over 2 years. Who are you, n00b?”

Other girl: “Mers, where have you been hiding?”
Mers: “I’ve been in Anseong” …oh that’s right! You’re not a part of the Kool Kat Krew! When one of us dies, I’ll let you know about the club.”

I have many stories from this weekend. It wasn’t as boring as last week. I gained some useful information, and the new coordinator has been asking for my opinion of things. I consider one of my strengths to be my listening and reasoning skills. We are dealing with some lazy and incompetent English teachers, here.

The coordinator has a strong disdain for one of the teachers. She accused him of being an alcoholic and driving drunk. I thought that was a serious accusation, and I held my reservations. Then, the Thursday night before Friday’s class, I went out to eat dinner with him. He was drinking the hard Korean alcohol without any regard of going to classes the next day. When, others at the table wanted their cup refilled, he would rudely order another bottle. What a loser. Somehow he has managed to keep a wife and hold a job.

During the dinner, he said that he skipped 2 grades of middle school. He graduated high school at 16. I thought, “Dude, you’re either lying your pants off or you might want to keep that to yourself, because these days you look like a total ignoramus.”

At one time this weekend, a small group of us were getting briefed from a teacher from the previous 2007-09 program. We were standing around a whiteboard. This ogre like girl saddles next to me. Unconsciously, she starts edging her way in front of me, and I was like “WTF? You show up late to the briefing and then obstruct my view.” I carefully touched her shoulders and guided her back to the side of me. She said, “Oh, I didn’t see you there.” I was like, “F*ing, ogre.”

Last week, I was pretty adamant about buying the Motorola Roi. It’s like the Motorola Droid, and it runs the Android OS. Then, this weekend I found myself overhearing this conversation about jail breaking the iphone. I know that people can jail break the iphone and ipod touch, but I haven’t looked into it deeply. The benefits sounded convincing, and I went back to thinking that I should buy the iphone as my next phone.

Even though I’m studying Korean, I dont have that many opportunities to “use” my Korean. Living in Korea; that sounds pretty unlikely and stupid, but it’s true. (I’m trying to change that.) I’ve studied how to order food in books, but I never do it just because … I never order food. This weekend, I was asked to order pizza and call taxis. I thought it would be a burden, but I approached it as a Korean speaking test. Can Mers pass the test and have pizzas delivered for the starving foreigners? Let’s find out. The verdict was in, and I passed. Twice!

At the end of the course, we had to do course evaluations. And I gave my 2 cents in the comment section. I said that some of the videos and discussions were irrelevant to the course topic. The teacher appeared very passionate about these discussion, but they still had nothing to do with the course. I wrote how the course should be improved for next time and having all the teachers together should have been used more effectively. The class didn’t meet my expectations.

This weekend and next weekend. I have Graduate classes. I don’t feel as prepared as I could be, although I know that I have all the required assignments finished … and perhaps better than other students. I want to take more notes before the class and read through the books again. But I guess I can do that after the course. I think this is a meaningful class with respect to teaching and organization.

The professor I was helping in the course “Pass or Fail” has decided not to attend this class, because he is unprepared for the class. I should write more on that later. He says he’ll be ready for the Summer class, but we shall see. I think he’s on the edge of a mental breakdown.

May 21 is Buddha’s Birthday. But again, I’ll be in classes. Some students and the Grad class teacher will be going to the Lotus Lantern parade in Seoul on May 16th. But I have no time for that. There’s no time, MAN!

This week, buying an iPhone crossed my mind, but I will wait for more information about the iPhone 4G to be “officially” announced. I would like an Android phone, but I think the Korean telecoms will muck up the releases. I think many US telecoms are also mucking up Android as an OS.

I’m going to watch Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution.

Yesterday, in Korean, the Vice Principal asked “Mers, when are you getting married?” He kinda called me out in the office. I was like, “If you can find some decent person in this podunk city, introduce them to me, and give me some free time to get to know them. Then, we’ll talk.”

Recently, I talked to 2 male Koreans, they had been dating for awhile with the thoughts of marriage. But they said they were having problems, because their girlfriends mother didn’t approve of them or their jobs. I was liek “Man, that’s f’d up.”

Survivor has me on the edge of my seat. I cant wait for the next episodes.

Wednesday is Children’s Day, so we have the day off in Korea. Thursday, Friday, Monday, and Tuesday the students have midterms. I think I have to come to school, but …meh. I have work to keep me busy.

I’m downloading John Frusciante tunes. Omar released a new record.

I watched Kick Ass. I didn’t like the cliche “teen-liness” of it, and some of the music choices was poor. But, I was on the edge of my seat towards the end of the movie.

Updated to Ubuntu 10.04.

Went mountain climbing with an Anseong Facebook Club. Met some new people. One guy and his wife are working for the best school in the city. After talking with him, I was really jealous. Another girl just starting working in the boonies. She’s at the school for N Korean refugees. I’ve heard about the school before, but it’s way out there.

I think I’m ordering a t-shirt from the Interior Design students. I saw a sign from afar and was liek “Cool. You’re ordering shirts. I want one.” Then, I got up close and was liek, “Awww…these designs blow chunks”. Seriously, they were terrible, but I felt I should buy one. Lotte Mart has basic T’s for $5. A plain colored T has more design appeal than what these students came up with.

I think the theme of Saylor’s next B-Day ought to be “Three Cheese” Everyone can wear cow patterned or cheese colored shirts, and of course we would serve cheese. I’d fly in for that.

Still reading “How the Soldier Repairs the Gramaphone.” I started interpreting the text in a new light, and it started to make more sense. It also introduced a character, who they’ve been referencing from the beginning of the book. Now, I feel like I should re-read it from the start. The jigsaw is finally coming together.

I think Spring has finally found it’s footing. Yesterday, there was a sticky hotness in the air.

My frugality. I like to read restaurant reviews and see the menus. I always notice the price of tea, coffee, or beer. It’s in the range of $4-6. I think to myself, “Why would I spend $6 on one cup of lemon tea when I could go to the store and buy a jar of lemon tea that would make me 20 cups? They’re not making the tea any different than I would at home.”

Friday, the HotED asked, “You didn’t receive the money for last month?” I played it cool, and said I didn’t know. But I was really thinking, “Ahha! I knew it!” He confirmed that I didn’t get paid last month. So, he said I’d be getting paid for last month, this month, and some contractual stuff. He also said that I’d be getting a raise. I think he’s mistaken on that part, because that would have to be re-written into my contract. Technically, this is my 3rd year at the school, but that’s only because I was hired mid-semester of 2008. But it’s hard to debate these matters, since he is a dumb-ass.

Just pay me.

I have one class on Friday that I despise. The class is with the design students and they’re a bunch of chatty Cathy’s. A few of the boys and girls are dating each other, too, and that leads to drama. It’s the last class of the day, and the HotED is supposed to help with the class. This week, he said he couldn’t come to class, because he had to get his yearly car check up… WTF, man!? The student’s weren’t paying attention or listening to me. So, I was like “Fuck it” and showed a movie for the last 30 min.

Korea has a stupid internet system. You can’t purchase anything online unless you’re Korean descent. It involves social security numbers. Well, I wanted to buy these language textbooks. They’re out of print and hard to find, but they were listed at this one website. I was prepared to go to a city bookstore and ask if they could order them for me. However, once a week, there is this woman who comes to the school. She is a textbook representative and orders bulk books for the teachers. She, also, hands out free demo textbooks and magazines. I asked if she could order these for textbooks for me. I hope she comes through.

Saturday, I wanted to shop for DVDs, books, and clothes in Seoul. I couldn’t find any of the above and returned home empty handed. I also walked a crazy distance. The highlight of the day was coffee and a chocolate muffin.

At the bookstore, I ran into a girl, who I knew. I haven’t seen her in about 4 months, and I find her awkward to talk to. She answers questions with the least amount of thought and information. I asked what she’s been up to. She said, “nothing”, and I was like “Alllrrright, … off with you then.” She used to be in my Koren class, but she dropped out after 2 months.

Monday, today, I was told that my week schedule would change. One of the teachers has a stomach problem and I’m taking over all of his classes. He teaches all 1st grade students twice a week, and I have to teach all the classes alone…. terrible. After school, I guess I’ll buy Iron Man and we’ll watch that all week. I’ll get them ramped up for Iron Man 2.

From: This is Why You’re Fat

I bought a glass jar to contain my yerba mate. And, I’m going to use mason jars to keep my mate at school. I’ve noticed color and taste differences when leaving them improperly contained, which is likely from oxidation.

I went to the bank and had $50 in change.

I’ve never watched the entirity of The Big Lebowski. It wasn’t great, but the best part was the bowling dream sequence. I watched the credits to learn that the song is by Kenny Rogers!? Who knew? As for the movie…, I like the ‘Dude’ character better than the movie.

I had a sore throat and cold for the weekend. I think I’m losing my voice…and my mind.

I’m not sold on the iPad. It has too many faults and limitations that a small laptop can overcome.

Spring, finally, arrived last week. Now it’s cold again. Just stop going below freezing.

According to a student, today’s, dinner was called “hambuh steak”. I took a bite and thought, “Oh, it’s meatloaf”. Awesome.

On the otherhand, it angers me to no end, when students talk to me in Korean. It also pisses me off when I acknowledge that I’m further ahead in Korean comprehension than they are in English. Terrible…

At the beginning of the school year, the students are segregated into classes based on their test scores. Automatic 1-2 is low, 3-4 are middle, and 5-6 are high. In my normal English classes, they are divided even further. They ask the students, “do you want to go to a University or a college?” The students who want to get into a university are motivated learners and they outperform the rest. The students who want to go to a technical college want to find a trade skill and land a job. They are dunces, IMO.

My beef has to do with my after school English classes. I never teach the motivated students, who want to move onto a university and its peeving me. I teach all the knuckle heads.

They sit in the back of the class with their friends. They don’t pay attention. They’re disruptive. They speak Korean with their friends, and they speak Korean to me. Don’t speak Korean to me! That’s not what I’m here for! If you’re not going to try, you’re wasting my time. I have better things to do. I’d rather be reading books. I’d rather by studying Korean. I’d rather be studying my Graduate classes. If you’d rather be somewhere else – GO.

Yesterday was the beginning of the new class session. I didn’t have a proper attendance sheet before the class. As the students strolled in … late, I was in shock. About half of the students fell into the low category.

I’m sorry, but if you were capable of learning English, you would have had the basics down by now. I know you studied English in elementary school. I know you studied English in middle school. You can’t answer basic questions or give a crap in my class… get the fuck out.

Today I’m laying down rules:
1.If you don’t want to practice or learn English, sign in, and you can leave. Get out.
2.If you want to practice and learn, sit in the front of the class.
3.You may speak Korean for explanation or clarification with your friends. If else, 3 strikes and you’re out.

I only have after school classes, because the Vice Principle thinks they’re important. I think my classes are important too. I can seriously help students to speak. I want to teach, but stop throwing shitty students in my class. I have better things to do than disciplining ignoramuses who aren’t capable of learning.

“How the Soldier Repairs the Gramophone”
“Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel”
“Letters from a Stoic (Penguin Classics)”

3 of these are textbooks for my next Grad Class. And 3 are recommended reads.

I’ve read and heard of the fantastic properties of Japanese macha tea. I’ve, also, seen the budget Korean kind at the store, but I wanted the Japanese real deal. I went to a major department store, where they carry finer world foods, and they didn’t have it. They told me to go to the neighborhood “insadong”. For some reason, that pissed me off. Instead, I went to the grocery store and bought the budget Korean brand. It’s ok.

Lastly, a long time ago, “The Owl” was/is studying Chinese characters. He told me about a flashcard method that’s supposed to be good for memorization. Essentially, the cards you don’t know – appear frequently. The cards you do know – appear less frequent. Well, I heard another person talk about this program and I gave it a try. The program I found is called Anki. The GUI is pretty bad, but once you learn how to use it. It works. Once or twice a day, flip thru some flashcards.

I think speed skating is my favorite sport. Korea has been showing a lot of it, since most of their medalists are from it. The skaters look bad-ass when they’re in slow motion, wearing those suits, and going around the curves. I want to see more luge, skeleton, and down hill. I missed those.

I like that sasquatch mascot.

I finished my first 2 grad classes. I go back for more in May.

I’ve been steaming carrots, cucumbers, and potatoes. I should add more vegetables into the mix.

An Irish girl said, “My father says you shouldn’t drink unless you plan to get drunk, otherwise it’s a waste of money.” It wasn’t directed towards me, but I thought, “I totally agree with you. That’s why I haven’t been drinking these days.” I consider how many yummy groceries or meals I could buy for the cost ‘a night out’.

It’s been 10 days since I started my latest homebrew. I still see signs of fermentation, so I wont bottle it yet.

I wondered if I should take a year off from tea and drink nothing but coffee.

I’m going to start a ‘Bonsai Potato’ at school. I never did started that back in Chicago.

The outside temperatures haven’t been lingering below the freezing mark. Therefore, my room has more comfortable.

I have numerous episodes of the ‘Tolkein Professor’ that I’m trying to catch up on. I also like listening to ‘Maxwell’s House.’ I’ve been watching Survivor, American Idol, Important Things,

I honestly don’t do much banking with the “Big Bank” now. My account is really just a temporary hub which I withdrawal and transfer money in and out of. I don’t do any investing or make substantial interest with their savings account. I do all this online.

However, if I had an account with a community bank. I think I would try and help it out by purchasing CD’s and loans to the bank. My hope would be that the bank uses this money to give back to the neighborhood businesses and homes, like the Bailey Building and Loan.

Maybe the “Big Bank” does substantially help out the community with home loans and business owners. I honestly don’t think they were involved in the the market crash like other “Big Banks” were. But I want some reassuring that they’re doing everything possible to help the little guys.

…

Budget $237 million
Gross revenue $1,858,866,889

Avatar is still in the #1 box office seat and hasn’t had it’s DVD sales figures yet. It gets me wondering where all this money will … go? It would be nice if it could give back to the movie industry as a whole. It would be nice to see lower ticket prices and indie movies getting wider releases. But still …

Damn. Where does all this money go?

PS – I did watch it in theaters with 3-D.